Dazzling Arts & Entertainment in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers something for art historians and enthusiasts of new technology alike - everything from theatres established decades ago to immaculate opera houses.

Machine Dazzle was dressed for movie night in his glittering take on Olivia Newton-John's purple Grecian goddess look from "Xanadu." He designs both social and metaphorical spaces.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), situated on an idyllic waterfront setting, is dedicated to presenting contemporary art and culture through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs. Established in 1936 as one of the United States' oldest non-collecting contemporary arts museums, ICA's exhibitions and education programs provide access to contemporary art for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Institute of Contemporary Art building itself is an object of art: an impressive cantilevered glass structure atop a waterside plaza designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro and one of New York City's most striking landmarks. Home to works from artists including graffiti artist Shepard Fairey, film director Jonas Mekas, video artist Christian Jankowski, photographer Boris Mikhailov and Boston-born sculptor Josiah McElheny as well as world renowned hybrid artist Wangechi Mutu among others.

At the hands of an accomplished choreographer, dance performances featuring dancers moving seamlessly with music can be transformative experiences. Such was certainly true during Thursday night's Philandanco! performance at the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center; composed by four separate choreographers each contributing their unique style to create Philandanco!

On May 28, Almost Famous will host Showgirl Sunday for a night of stunning arts and entertainment, featuring performances by some of the area's top talent including Ana Crusis, Stacia Renee Onassis, Shante & Blair St. Clair and DJ Knayte. Tickets can be found online and range in price from $15 for adults, $13 seniors, $10 students with children 12 or under admitted free of charge.

This event marks yet another impressive event held at the Almost Famous venue. Offering more than just live music, Almost Famous also provides other forms of entertainment including karaoke and trivia nights; additionally there is a full-service bar stocked with spirits, beer and wine available every day of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays; they can be found at 721 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis.

The Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts (often abbreviated MFA) is one of the world's premier art museums, boasting an extraordinary and well-rounded collection encompassing multiple areas of interest from Asia to Oceanic art, ancient Egyptian and Greek collections, Monet works, Claude Monet collections outside France and even a spectacular new wing dedicated exclusively to Art of the Americas. Established in 1876 in Copley Square and moving its location in 1909; since then the MFA has featured Asian, African, Oceanic art as well as ancient Egyptian and Greek collections as well as Monet works from all five continents of interest from Asia through Oceania as well as an entire wing dedicated entirely to Art of the Americas - making its collections truly unmatched globally. Since 1876 in Copley Square but originally founded 1876 in Copley Square the MFA has offered unparalleled global scope across multiple art genres as well as features like Asian, African Oceania art with ancient Egyptian collections from both eras to present day; starting its present location since 1909. The MFA features Asian, African Oceanian art along with collections from Ancient Egyptian and Greek collections from both periods as well as the largest ever outside France with collections dedicated to Art of Americas art that has grown over time and features many areas pertaining to its current site since 1909.

In addition to its impressive collections, the MFA provides visitors with tours and activities designed to make exploring this impressive museum easy on short visits. Tours are included with admission and typically last 30-60 minutes.

MFA's most celebrated works include Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum Head portrait of George Washington; Renoir's Dance at Bougival; Burne-Jones' The Love Song; Monet's Waterloo Bridge and Grand Idol, Whistler's Girl in White Dress as well as Paul Revere silver, rooms from French chateaux, full-scale Japanese temples, an 8th-century Spanish chapel as well as an astounding array of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian artifacts.

MFA visitors have their choice of guided exhibition tours led by experts in different museum collections, designed to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of these exhibits and provide context as to how they relate.

An alternative approach is to leisurely browse the museum's over 100 galleries at your own pace. Since it would be impossible to see all of them in a single visit, consider picking up a floor plan guide when entering and focusing on just a few galleries that interest you most. If possible, avoid visiting during weekends; crowds tend to be dense.

Massachusetts residents can gain free admission to the museum's general galleries by showing ID and proof of residency. For timed-ticketed exhibitions, tickets may need to be purchased in advance or on the day of visit; you may redeem special exhibition tickets towards membership costs within 30 days.

The New England Aquarium

At Boston's historic waterfront, the Aquarium is a haven for hundreds of marine species. Exhibits and interactive experiences inspire discovery while instilling wonder. Visitors can get hands-on at Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank; visit penguin colonies; or swim through four-story Giant Ocean Tank!

No matter your desire - from finding quiet time with the kids in an educational exhibit to experiencing an IMAX film on a large screen - the Aquarium provides it all! Additionally, their age-appropriate programs teach kids more about sea life conservation and ocean science.

The New England Aquarium is committed to creating an accessible environment for visitors with disabilities, visual impairments and sensory disabilities. Visitors requiring special accommodations should notify them at least 48 hours in advance.

With more than 70 aquatic animal and marine habitat exhibits, the Aquarium is a beloved destination for families, nature enthusiasts and ocean advocates alike. Home to harbor fur seals, California sea lions, African and southern rockhopper penguins, giant Pacific octopuses, weedy seadragons and thousands of saltwater and freshwater fishes; among many more animals!

The Boston Public Library

Most visitors think of libraries as places filled with books, but Boston Public Library (BPL) is much more. An architectural marvel, it boasts resources and celebrates learning for all - making BPL one of the premier learning destinations worldwide.

Copley Square Library should be on any Boston visitor's itinerary. The McKim building with its Renaissance facade took seven years to construct and continues to impress over 100 years later. Not only is the library home for books; but it is also home for dynamic public radio station WUMC as well as job-search events.

It holds an extensive collection of rare and historic items, such as first edition folios of William Shakespeare and John Adams' personal library. Additionally, there are significant art, art history, literature and music collections as well as government document depository facilities on site.

Visitors to the building can admire its architecture by either taking a guided tour or simply strolling through. Visitors should make time to experience Bates Hall - an impressive 218-foot long reading room with an incredible 50-foot barrel-arch ceiling - described as one of the "secular spots that are sacred," it will leave them speechless!

Charles Follen McKim, of McKim, Mead & White architects, took inspiration for this design from three Rome structures - Palazzo della Cancellaria; Temple Malatestiano in Rimini and Bibliotheque St-Genevieve Paris. McKim's goal was to design something in keeping with Alexandria's great library; his mission was achieved.

BPL makes its impressive special collections available to all thanks to a robust digitization program that makes them available online. They include an archive of Boston newspapers and magazines dating back to 17th-century; original maps and works on paper; manuscripts, letters and drawings of great significance; as well as many rare books that span centuries and cultures.

BPL boasts 24 branch libraries and an online catalog containing over 22 million items, as well as being home to the world's largest municipal collection of rare books and manuscripts. Furthermore, this building acts as a cultural center with concerts and exhibitions taking place regularly.